Grand National History 1889 - 1880
Aintree Grand National 1889
"Frigate" finally reached the lofty position of Grand National winner entering the record books in 1889 with follows of the horse jubilant after he'd come so close in 1884 and 1885 when he was runner-up on both occasions. This time though, he was a little older and under the guidance of Tommy Beasley rather than then jockey Harry Beasley won with fairly short odds of 8-1. "Why Not" finished second followed by "M.P." in third ridden by Arthur Nightingall who finished third a year before.
Aintree Grand National 1888
George Mawson rode "Playfair" to victory in the big race at Aintree in 1888, a huge outsider before the event starting at 40-1, the pair somehow managed to outperform other horses with much better reputations such as "Frigate" ridden by Mr. W Beasley and jockey Tommy Skelton who was riding his third horse in three years to a top four position as "Ringlet" finished fourth. Sandwiched in between the two was "Ballot Box" in third place with all three horses starting with higher expectations.
Aintree Grand National 1887
"Gamecock" won the 1887 Grand National ridden by Mr. W Daniels with the pair starting on lower odds than the previous years winners at 20-1. The horse was owned by a Mr. E Jay and trained by James Gordon. The winner from a year earlier returned this time on "Savoyard" finishing second with "Johnny Longtail" and "Chancellor" in third and fourth respectively as four of the six horses to finish the race.
Aintree Grand National 1886
The 1886 Grand National was won by the horse "Old Joe" and jockey Tommy Skelton with the pair proving to be too good for the other 22 horses with the horse ironically called "Too Good" finishing second. "Old Joe" and Tommy Skelton were never really expected to perform anywhere near as good as they did, especially with starting odds of 25-1, but with huge determination and a jockey who would return to finish second the following year the pair battled hard in a race where only 7 horses completed the entire course.
Aintree Grand National 1885
"Roquefort" who was ridden by Ted Wilson, a jockey that returned to win consecutive Nationals on different horses, won the 1885 Grand National. The winning pair started at 100-30 with both a new trainer and owner partnering the jockey. Harry Beasley also returned riding "Frigate" again and again managed to finish second followed by "Black Prince" in third, the best finish for "Black Prince" since it came in second in 1882.
There was also discussion of foul play after one of the runners suffered a severe case of poisoning before the race, which had a prize fund of £1,035. The course itself was greatly changed for 1885, Aintree had been fully turfed with stretches of open plough removed and running trails built all the way around the inside of the course. Steeplechasing itself had developed to a stage where it required this change; the races had long been ridden over farmland that was largely unturfed but the perception of the sport had changed in recent years with it now though of as less of an event for hunters to test their own horses abilities.
Aintree Grand National 1884
Harry Beasley improved a place in 1884 riding "Frigate" to second as his quest to win the Grand National continued. Harry would eventually win the race, but not until 1891, this year though would belong to "Voluptuary" ridden by Ted Wilson with both horses starting at 10-1.
"Roquefort" trailed the two finishing in third, but would not have to wait long to win the National winning in 1885 when Harry Beasley would switch horses and ride him to victory. Another horse that participated was "The Scot" son of a former Derby winner ran but did not complete the course, he did however have the distinction of being owned by the Prince of Wales, the first horse the Prince owned on his own.
Aintree Grand National 1883
A very poor number of horses participated in the 1883 Grand National, two less than 1882 with only ten starting. The number of starters wouldn't have bothered "Zoedone" and jockey Count Charles Kinsky who had finished third a year before when only three horses completed the race. This year though he took the 100-7 outsider to victory beating "Black Prince" who finished second. Harry Beasley finished in third riding "Mohican".
Aintree Grand National 1882
"Seaman" who was owned by Lord John Manners a man that has purchased the horse for £2,000 won the 1882 Grand National. The horse was felt to be past it's best after being plagued by sickness from a young age, he shook the injuries off over time though and managed to hold off "Cyrus" and "Zoedone" the only other horses to complete the course to win the National. The race this year was on the 24th of March and had a field of only 12 starters after very heavy snow.
"Seaman" wasn't fully fit on the day but managed to come from behind to beat "Cyrus" who had led with only 300 yards left winning while racing on virtually three legs. The horse was retired after the race, receiving a well-deserved retirement.
Aintree Grand National 1881
11-2 Joint favourite "Woodbrook" with "Thornfield" won the 1881 Grand National ridden by Tommy Beasley who joined that special group of very few jockeys to win the event two years in a row. It was also a second victory in two years for trainer Henry Linde returned with the jockey and horse that was owned by Mr. Y L Kirkwood.
Aintree Grand National 1880
"Empress" won the 1880 Grand National ridden by Tommy Beasley who had also ridden "Martha" to second in 1878 and third place in 1879. Due to his past performances Tommy Beasley started very highly favoured at 8-1 in a race that had only 14 starters, but still saw 10 of those horses complete the four and a half miles. "The Liberator" returned one year after winning the big race at Aintree with better odds still at 11-1, which were shorter odds than when it raced to victory, dropping a spot in a tightly fought race.
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